Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is nearing a return, but uncertainty looms over his participation in Monday’s game against Chicago. Jefferson expressed optimism about his recovery progress, noting he reached top speed in practice. Despite minimal appearances on injury reports since his return designation, he remained cautious about his potential Monday night appearance, emphasizing the need to carefully evaluate his readiness.
The six-game absence stemmed from an ongoing right hamstring strain, with Jefferson acknowledging the frustration of potentially missing a seventh game if not fully healed. Emphasizing a methodical approach, he stressed the importance of being 100% healthy and taking the safe route. Training runs at full speed marked his accelerated recovery, yet he remained unsure about Monday’s game, maintaining a focus on his well-being.
Injured on October 8 and subsequently placed on injured reserve, Jefferson’s 21-day practice window commenced on November 8, requiring activation by November 29 to avoid season-long IR status. The team, in alignment with Jefferson, adopted a careful pace to ensure his return at optimal health.
Despite being listed as “limited” on Friday’s injury report, a full practice has eluded Jefferson since the practice window’s opening. Coach Kevin O’Connell acknowledged the possibility of Jefferson missing Monday’s game, potentially affording an extra week of recovery during Week 13.
Facing criticism, Jhttps://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1728145192190923049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1728145192190923049%7Ctwgr%5Ee6f16d75682ca13ba162a15543a20985cb1b6aef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overtimeheroics.net%2F2023%2F11%2F25%2Fif-im-feeling-good-justin-jefferson-shares-latest-status-about-his-health-doesnt-rule-out-week-12-appearance%2F
Jefferson prioritized his health over fantasy football, expressing frustration with social media scrutiny. Dismissing false narratives, he underscored the challenges of dealing with criticism and stressed his focus on returning to the field. Amidst social media backlash, Jefferson distanced himself, making his X and Instagram accounts inaccessible.
Addressing speculation about delaying his return due to contract issues, Jefferson remained unfazed, asserting that opinions vary and clarifying the situation wasn’t contract-related. The overarching concern, he emphasized, is his commitment to recovery and returning to the field.
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